Postcard From Austin #3 – Sunday September 18, 2011
September 18, 2011ACL Fest Day 2
The weather continues to be almost perfect – overcast with just some light rain for an hour or so yesterday. Luckily, I was under cover. Later, it was almost cool – something I have not had to say during ACL before. I never thought I would think 90F was a cool day.
The highlight wouldhave had to have been Daniel Lanois’ Black Dub, with Trixie Whitley (Chris’s daughter) as lead singer.I think she is going to be a real star.
Also saw Phosphorescent, who closed with a great version of their song ‘Los Angeles,’ Abigail Washburn in a very eclectic set (‘How many of you play the banjo?’ she asked. Err, not many).
Gillian Welch and David Rawlings who were late on stage due to a ‘scheduling conflict’ and proceeded to battle through the sound bleed from larger stages. ‘I wasn’t expecting the Martian landing right next to us,’ said Gillian, possibly referring to Skrillex. Then the Preservation Hall Jazz Band with the Del McCoury Band, the highlight of which was the version of Richard Thompson’s ’1952 Vincent Black Lightning.’
Tried to see Stevie Wonder (hold the jokes) but could not get close enough and the sound was drowned out by My Morning Jacket at the other end of the site. So I gave up, went to see them, managed to get a seat that someone had dragged out from the bar and even though I was probably 150 metres from the stage the sound was perfect. They were joined by the Preservation Hall Jazz Band – the mind boggles (though Jim James was on their benefit album). Talk about spectacular. And MMJ have to be the LOUDEST band I have ever heard at any festival anywhere.
The evening ended at Threadgill’s with the Traveling McCourys (the band minus Del) and sacred steel group The Lee Boys. As they said when they all got together for the final set it was ‘sacred grass.’
Oh yes, this morning I was listening to The Party Show on Triple R and Tarik, one of the show’s panel ops, phoned via Skype in from Austin and gave an ACL Fest report. I suspect that he might live here now and be employed by one of the large computer companies.
